But it did, and then it inevitably leaked, and now that particular “shit room door” has been opened just enough that it will take a while to close again.

But let’s not dwell on whether or not it was right or wrong for Ed Miliband to hold a meeting with “Georgeous” George – and not least because recent media coverage has proven beyond doubt that the meeting was a bad idea.

Instead, let’s take a look at what Galloway told the Standard.

The Bradford West MP praised Ed Miliband (which is the last thing he needs), attacked Ed Balls (who will doubtless be delighted by this) and said that he wants Labour to win the next election and for Miliband to be Prime Minister ASAP.

And yet by saying as much, Galloway makes it just a little bit less likely to happen, such is his toxicity. Indeed were a Tory to design a fully-functioning false flag operation embodied solely in one politician, they could scarcely have done better than creating George Galloway. If he didn’t exist, the Tories would have to invent him.

And yet, as is often the case with much of Galloway’s vanity-fuelled bluster, what he says isn’t even intellectually coherent either. Why – if he wants Ed Miliband to be Prime Minister – did he stand against the party in Bradford West, stirring up hatred against the party and dealing a painful blow to a Labour leader who was, back in March 2012, still struggling to assert his leadership? The answer, of course, is that Galloway saw an opportunity to return to parliament by whipping up a community against the Labour Party, and he is nothing if not a dreadful opportunist.

Standing at the head of a party which aims to take votes from Labour, traduce its reputation and besmirch its record at every turn – hardly the actions of someone who wants to see Ed Miliband, or anyone else in the Labour Party, become Prime Minister.

That’s because despite his protestations, Galloway couldn’t give two hoots about Labour, or Ed Miliband. If you look at some of the votes he has missed (the welfare uprating bill, for example) you could even question to what extent he gives two hoots about his constituents.

If he really does want to see Ed Miliband win in 2015, the best way he can help would be by sitting down, shutting up and going away.

Yet asking George Galloway to stop causing problems for the Labour leadership is like asking fire not to burn. And now, thanks to that meeting, he has that little bit more credibility with which to hurt Ed Miliband.

Surely all parties aim to take votes from other parties ,I know mrs Thatcher never actually said she wanted Blair to win, although Bill cash said he’d sooner have any other government in than John Majors one, when a politican praises another fora different party ,is it bad, was Mrs t.s comment that Tny Blair was the most admirable Labour leader since Hugh Gaitskell a bad thing,

Hannah

What needs to happen is for Mark Ferguson et al to stop talking up this non-story. Yes, Galloway is an incurable egotist, who has some deeply unpleasant views and keeps distasteful company, but he’s also an elected MP who shares many political concerns that the Labour Party should share, and it’s entirely legitimate for Ed Miliband to do him the courtesy of meeting him on issues where they share common cause, and soliciting his support in close-run votes. Also, lest we forget, many Labour party members and politicians spent the last week at least respectfully eulogising a woman who thought General Pinochet was the bee’s knees, and who’s longest serving leader caused more real destruction, in human terms, than Galloway could dream of and is still treated with reverence by many.

Besides the childish partisan hackery of the suggestion, from MF’s last article, that Miliband should have shunned Galloway even at the expense of losing the boundaries vote, and thus quite possibly the next election, this all has a slight Chomskyan “Manufacturing Consent” feel. The right is still being allowed to police the boundaries of acceptable political thought under the umbrella of principals that are, at best, selectively applied.

AlanGiles

” If you want Labour to win, shut up and go away… ”

But the same advice could be offered to Tony Blair, or Jacqui Smith. Iraq, box rooms, bathplugs and dirty films doesn’t exactly inspire confidence…….

mightymark

Blair and Smith are Labour party members who have a perfect right to participate in the debate on Labour’s future.

robertcp

I do not want Galloway to rejoin Labour but I see no reason why Miliband should not talk to another MP. I would guess that Galloway usually votes with Labour when he bothers to turn up.

http://twitter.com/waterwards dave stone

” The right is still being allowed to police the boundaries of acceptable political thought ”

That’s an interesting point.

I heard BBC correspondent Nick Robinson on the Radio this morning, he explained that the Tory led government are happy to persist with the failing austerity policies because they’re getting no opposition or alternative option from Labour.

Thank heavens for Len Mcckluskey – at least he has mooted the possibility of an alternative.

$6215628

The alternative, thats to borrow even more, not cut so much ,and somehow it’ll get us out of debt?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715486331 Alex Otley

Is Blair a member? I’d be interested to know.

mightymark

I think if Blair had not paid up his subs there are plenty of well placed Blair haters that would have leaked that info. Why do you think he might not be a member any longer – wishful thinking on your part perhaps?

http://www.facebook.com/matthew.blott Matthew Blott

Of the party? I think so.

AlanGiles

And Mark the mighty Len’s union gives the Labour party quite a lot of money, so he has as much right, as the current leader of his union, to say what he thinks just as much as two ex-MPs

mightymark

Why do you think it right to up play a union placeman and downplay a brilliant former Prime Minister who gave Labour its biggest ever election victory and then two more?

AlanGiles

… answers please, on a postcard…

$6215628

And 5 people clicked like to this non comment,seeing as I didn’t actually ask a question

Daniel Speight

when a politican praises another fora different party ,is it bad, was
Mrs t.s comment that Tny Blair was the most admirable Labour leader
since Hugh Gaitskell a bad thing,

I counted two questions there John.

http://www.facebook.com/matthew.blott Matthew Blott

You are saying Miliband should meet Galloway because Labour might lose the 2015 general election if he doesn’t? If you think we are that desperate I suggest you join another party.

Prince Raj

Why does it matter if they met, what about the dirty Blair & news cooperation? I demand that this story is deleted as George Galloway had done better things than the corrupt Labour Blair douche bag did who made bridges for the Tories & has broken Labour.

Labour isn’t fantastic party but George Galloway is like another George Mudie. I say shut up Labour, if you want US to re-elect a broken Labour Party.

markfergusonuk

You “demand” this story is deleted?

Jog on…

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